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Sport and Society, Research Paper Example

Pages: 9

Words: 2349

Introduction

According to Nelson Mandela:

“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope … It is an instrument for peace.” (Blair, 2008)

This is the basic thematic concern of sport. In this reference, sport actually creates the in-depth report about the society and psychological aspects of people with clearer terms.

In this paper, the analytical story considered is to illustrate the process of understanding the reformative concern of the government towards the society. This is more radically attained by restricting doping, especially in the Baseball games reoccupies the approach. The story that has been selected for this analytical purpose is that of the ‘suspension of Melky Cabrera due to doping’ on the 15^th of August 2012. The approach here is to look into the initiation led by the government, especially the MLB officials in cooperation with federal investigators to restrict doping by suspending Melky Cabrera.

The Story

Melky Astacio Cabrera is a 28-year-old base ballplayer, who was born on 11 August 1984. He established himself as a Dominican baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays. He played as an outfielder for New York Yankees, followed by the teams like Atlanta Braves, then the Kansas City Royals and lastly was a controversial player in San Francisco Giant from the Major League Baseball. It was in recent few years that controversies and serious issues related to doping were turned synonymous to Cabrera. It was in the year 2012, that Cabrera came up with his foremost All-Star Game and thereby established the winning cup of All-Star Game MVP Award. However, within a month, Cabrera strangely received an order of suspension from 50 games. It was the result of the positive testing for having higher levels of testosterone. It was on the 15^th of August 2012, that the situations became more critical for this player as there was a sudden end to his entire professional life. The suspension from 50 games without pay got officially effective. This regulation was noted as pet the usage of very predominantly recognized MLB-proscribed and distinguished performance-enhancing drugs.

Cabrera in no time admitted about the use of banned substance and in a very meek way accepted the note of suspension (Spencer, 2012). In his words,

“My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used, I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down.” (Stark, 2012)

It was a pick time, as he led the majors by hitting 159 hits and got identified for being the second within NL with batting average of 0.346. He has further ended his season of suspension by making 11 home runs, with 10 triples, added by 60 RBI and a notable 13 stolen bases in a span of 18 chances (ibid).

The restrictions and the legal proceedings in this case were led by the MLB (Major League Baseball) officials in cooperation with the legal persuasions made by federal investigators. These associations used forensics in order to trace the fake documentations led by the website that is actually in favor of Cabrera (Kawakami, 2012).

In a very short notice, this suspension expired. The reason was that the Giants made advancement to NLCS, where the second round for the notable playoffs was maintained. It is here that this particular player remained restricted till the moment his team really won over World Series in 2012, by defeating Detroit Tigers and thus he was released the very next day that is on 29^th of October 2012. Eventually, he turned up as a free agent.

Case Analysis

From the above-illustrated case, it can be well noted that the actions of doping remains as a continuous process in the sports domain. In reference to the use of dope in the Baseball games, Victor Conte, the eminent co-founder of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (or the BALCO) declares that though baseball has been very strict and has tightened the noted drug-testing policy in past few years, yet doping still prevails. He adds that in recent years there are adjustments made towards the language of the determined drug policy with the motive to close determined loophole (Ortiz, 2012). However, there is also the acceptance that plenty of players still are continuing with the action of doing and are equally cheating with impunity. They are still using diversified substances like fast-acting testosterone in order to attain superhorse in their gaming approaches.

The case of Melky Astacio Cabrera is a very common case and these kinds of restricted and strict regulations are prevailed for last many years, yet there is the need for stricter and effective measures for the prevention of doing in sports. As reported by Ortiz (2012), in reference to the case of suspension of Melky Astacio Cabrera, Conte focusses his estimation of 50% of the most notable players who are identified of using fast-acting testosterone in order to attain spirit during the game and eventually to win the trophy. In the words of Conte,

“I’m not going to name names,”… “But I’ve talked to a lot of top players in Major League Baseball, and they tell me this is what they’re doing….There is rampant use of synthetic testosterone in Major League Baseball.”

To a great extent, the use of fast-acting synthetic testosterones is a legal offence by Melky Astacio Cabrera, yet his acceptance towards the punishment must get enough respect as well. As a player, he hardly ever disappointed the public and always turned up as an ideal to many upcoming youngsters. However, there were many observations that make the consumption of these drugs as a curse to the social structure.

The declarations of Conte further add that there are fast-acting synthetic testosterones that offer determined effective results to the players in attaining continuous energy generation in them. These are also use to add aggressive temperament in the player and thereby making the sport more aggressive and strong. There are much different from standard dosage of testosterone or any of the hard-core modes of anabolic steroids. However, it further clears the body with a faster provision. It is important to note that the implication and usage of fast-acting synthetic testosterones can offer the respective user with an increased aspect of energy that is actually temporary and is artificial. Just like the drug, there is nothing organic about the energy formed by this drug. Though this drug can assist a lot in the process of building muscle size and physical strength of the user, yet the affects of it on his mental and physical condition is very dangerous in the long run. This drug essentially develops and further enhances workouts impacts in the user. It very well assists in the process of speed recovery, and thus is very attractive in offering benefit for a determined grind season of 162 games.

Socio-personal Dilemma

There is a clear note of socio-personal dilemma in Melky Astacio Cabrera that made him take the support of fast-acting synthetic testosterones. The core ideology of this player was to offer best possible performance, yet in the zeal of the same, he became logical to himself and justified his zeal towards the extreme use of his physicals and mental stature. The instance of using drugs by Cabrera has been much boosted by his popularity that he wanted to continue forever, without realizing its long-term affects, legal punishments and above all the infamous impression that he will earn among his fans. The faith that he must have earned from his fans in his whole career, got shattered within a month. With a more in-depth realization there is the ethical dilemma in Cabrera that makes him come up with such a condition. It is really apathetic and eventually disasters on his part and for all his fans who followed him with great respect. As noted by Ethic Alarm (2012), ‘there are always anomalies that occur in which a strict application of the rule or principle involved leads to an undesirable or bizarre result’. In a way it is absolute to consider that instances like taking of drugs in sports to enhance performance is the result of increasing irregularity or the conditions of competitiveness that is actually getting tough for the people and as such the dilemma regarding these consumptions are being more prevalent in the sports-oriented domains.

Contrastive Perspectives

There are some very contrastive and contradictory aspects and believes that are also part of these sorts of controversies. These discussions and ideologies are in favor of using drugs for the sportsman. Smith (2012), who managed to consider that it is high time to allow steroids among the people who are into sports, has focused one such point, According to his idea:

“Detractors will argue that steroids and doping can pose health risks to the athletes involved, but athletes undertake serious health risks by simply walking onto the field or straddling a bike.”

Smith considers that the process of legalizing PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) is subject to offer an easier life to the professional sports organizations as they are now under severe pressure of competition. The management of convoluted modes of anti-doping policies for Smith is actually creating dilemma in the sportsperson and is no way effective for his career. He finds a “blurry line” between the instance of “what is” and the instance of “what isn’t” apt for assessing or consuming performance enhancer.

Social Reformations

As against the ideologies and logical arguments forwarded by Smith, it is apt to consider that the sportsman with honest success gets a whole line of followers and is a kind of inspiration to entire humanity. As against this, when a sportsman follows unethical or synthetic drugs to entertain people or to win over a trophy, the faith and honest image shatter in no time. It is here that they need to understand and realize their importance and responsibility towards the society and people who follow them so blindly.

Restrictions over the application and usage of drugs in sports are very effective proceeding towards the reformation approaches of society. In reference to the case of suspension of Melky Astacio Cabrera from 50 games under legal formulations creates a sense of realization and adherence towards the responsibility that must be there in every sports person. This is directly related to all those people who are following the respective sport or Melky Astacio Cabrera in particular. As strict measures are initiated in this domain there is a sincere creation of harmonization in the national and international participation of people in sports. This core aspect makes people understand and feel the sense of security and thereby offer them with the notion of comping under same roof amidst serious competition. According to Sport Conventions (2012) in reference to Anti-Doping Convention they believe that strict restrictions in the doping activities in sports offer international cooperation and that supports social growth in much positive way. Following points are undertaken by Sport Conventions to meet the aforementioned context of restricting doping in sports related domains-

Creation of national co-coordinating body;
Reduction of trafficking over doping substances added by the application of banned doping agents;
Reinforcing controls over doping and thereby improve techniques for detection of the same;
Supporting the revisions of education, added by the awareness-raising programmed;
To offer guarantee of efficiency in terms of releasing sanctions taken in opposition with the offenders;
Collaborations with various sports organizations in every possible level;
Application towards the use of accredited mode of anti-doping laboratories

Conclusion

Eventually, it must be concluded that sports and human society are interrelated. As doping is thunderous for any human being, it is important to offer some punishment to those sports persons who are using it for excessive results of their mind and physique. The exemplified case of Melky Astacio Cabrera withstands the strict regulations foloowed by sports authority and government in offering the usage of doping in society. As Melky Astacio Cabrera gets his suspension, there is a creation of restriction among all those people who believed him. Being a predominant player, the social interest over this player was huge and at the same time suspending him from 50 games, offered indirect warning to all those people who are into doping. The initiations led by government in the usage of doping will also open doors for people from national and international frontiers in the process of participating in various sports. As there will be restrictions and severe penalties, it will make the games fair enough for enjoyment. This will create relevant harmony in the society on international basis.

Recommendations

In order to maintain peace and harmony, it is thus recommended that eh players need to understand their value and the harm that they cause to themselves and to their followers by opting for doping. Violations of regulations in the process of doping thus needs to be taken seriously. Abolish in this seems impossible, yet with penalties and punishments over guilty sports celebrities can restrict its use largely. The most important thing here is that they can also

motivate people by following the rules and can create healthier society.

Sources

Blair, T. (2008) “An Uplifting Power”. 2008 Summer Journey. Time Magazine. June 19, 2008 http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1815747_1815707_1815657,00.html Retrieved on 28^th of Nov. 2012

Ethics Alarms (2012) The Ethics Incompleteness Dilemma and MLB’s Melky Cabrera “Solution”. Ethics Alarms.com 22 September 2012 http://ethicsalarms.com/2012/09/22/the-ethics-incompleteness-dilemma-and-mlbs-melky-cabrera-solution/

Kawakami, T. (2012). “Melky Cabrera’s fake website, false innocence makes him look worse than guilty”.Daily Democrat. Woodland, California. 19 August 2012 http://www.dailydemocrat.com/sports/ci_21350534/kawakami-melky-cabreras-fake-website-false-innocence-make Retrieved on 29 Nov. 2012

Ortiz, Jorge L. (2012) Cabrera suspension latest chapter in baseball doping. USA TODAY. 16 August 2012 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/giants/story/2012-08-15/melky-cabrera-suspended-failed-drug-test/57082078/1 Retrieved on 29 Nov. 2012

Smith, C. (2012) Why It’s Time To Legalize Steroids In Professional Sports. Forbes. 24 August 2012. http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2012/08/24/why-its-time-to-legalize-steroids-in-professional-sports/ Retrieved on 29 Nov. 2012

Spencer, L. (2012) “Melky delivers, earns All-Star MVP honors”. MLB.com. 11 July 2012. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120711&content_id=34835348&vkey=allstar2012 Retrieved on 29 Nov. 2012

Sport Conventions (2012) The Anti-Doping Convention: an instrument of international co-operation. http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/sport/doping/convention_en.asp#TopOfPage

Stark, J (2012) “Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games”. ESPN.com. August 15, 2012. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8271981/melky-cabrera-san-francisco-giants-suspended-50-games Retrieved on 29 Nov. 2012